Brian Bowe was born on 15 March 1936 and played 90-100 games for Kyneton in Victoria's Bendigo League from 1952 to 1957. A dashing wingman, he was signed by St Kilda where he played 17 games from 1958 to 1959 including three finals games in the 1958 VFL Consolation Night series played at the Lake Oval. He was a part of the side that defeated Carlton in the grand final, 16.13 (109) – 15.11 (101)

He then returned to Kyneton in 1960 where he played a further 11 games and was a member of the premiership team.

Brian recalls that in November 1960 "...I got a knock on my boarding house door in Elwood Vic and a little bloke by the name of Alan Killigrew was standing there. He was on a recruiting mission for a couple of midfielders and wanted myself and Lester Ross, having coached both of us at St Kilda for 1–2 years. It was a chance for some redemption after getting the ‘DCS’ (Don’t Come Saturday) at St Kilda, so I jumped at the opportunity. (Thanks Killa!). In early January 1961 Ern Wadham (NFC secretary) met me at Adelaide Airport and dropped me off at a boarding house in Kent Town, and leaving me wondering what the hell have I done!? (Kent Town in 1961 on a Sunday was not exactly vibrant). But things got better with the discovery of the Bath Hotel and all the good times we all had there during my time at Norwood"

Bowe went on to play 74 games for Norwood from 1961 to 1965 including the losing 1961 grand final to West Adelaide.